22-250 Shooting at 500 yards?

[WEATHERBY460]

I was wondering how well a 22-250 can shoot at this distance. I currently shoot a 50 grain nosler that is very accurate at 100 yards, but am concerned it is not the best bullet for longer ranges.

If I was starting over reloading, what bullet would be the best for punching paper at 500 yards?

Thanks

 

[BradArnett]

They "can" shoot pretty decent. Wind is your problem with what you're going to be running. I'm running moly'd 50 Vmax's in the lands in my Kimber 22-250 at 3850 and run it out to 700yds when its calm.

The rifle shoots well at 100yds.

Here's a few pics of one day I was running it out to 5,6,700yds.

You can see that the vertical is good, it's all wind with that little bullet.

 

[BradArnett]

You don't say what twist your rifle is so its hard to say what bullets you can run.

I had an 1-8"tw 22-250 put together to run the 75Ama'xs and it was great. The rifle wore a 22" Rock 1-8"tw barrel and would run moly'd 75Amax's at 3300. It was a wind cheating SOB for sure.

If you're running a 1-14"tw then you're pretty much done right where you are. If you are running a 1-8" or 1-9" you're well set up to run high BC bullets.

 

[brentc]

I run a Savage VLP 1 in 9 with 70 grain bergers. It's surprising how well it reaches out there.

 

[WEATHERBY460]

rem 700 1-14 its the vs sf model

 

[Sendero_Man]

you are gonna be stuck with 55 grainers with that slow twist. It will not stabilize the heavies...

get it re-barreled to a 1 in 8, it will love the 75's to 80's for sure.

My 22-243 shoots the 80 grain SMK's at 3495 in my 8 twist. lazer of a rig !

only drops 26 inches at 500 and 13 inch drift in full value 10mph wind

 

[WEATHERBY460]

How well will the 50 grainers be at 500?

 

[BradArnett]

How well will the 50 grainers be at 500?

In the wind? They suck.


50's at 3850 with a 250yd zero will drop 27.4" and drift 28.5" at 500yds and with a full value 10MPH wind.

Just for conversation, I ran 75Amax's in my 1-8"tw 22-250 at 3300, and from a 250yd zero they drop 27.7" and drift just 17.1" at 500yds and in the same conditions. They just keep pulling further ahead the farther you go. Elevation is easy, its wind that'll get you.

 

[BradArnett]

you are gonna be stuck with 55 grainers with that slow twist. It will not stabilize the heavies...

get it re-barreled to a 1 in 8, it will love the 75's to 80's for sure.

My 22-243 shoots the 80 grain SMK's at 3495 in my 8 twist. lazer of a rig !

only drops 26 inches at 500 and 13 inch drift in full value 10mph wind

Hey Scott, I didn't know you were running a 22-243 now, I can't keep up! (grin)

This fall Rachel and I will be driving around out west for at least 3 weeks doing the honeymoon thing. We're hitting Wyoming for about the last 5 days or so and doing a DIY antelope hunt right at the end and then driving back here. I'll have to get ahold of you while we are there and meet up and buy you a beer or three. I've still got your phone number and I'll give you a call. We'll be hunting south of Casper. Brad.

 

[Sendero_Man]

sounds great !

 

[joejo]

do as others have started. re-barrel with a factory contour 1-8 or 1-9 twist.
my remmy has a pre-chambered shilen 1-9 24" barrel and i can frequently shoot 4.5 inch groups at 800 yards with it. i am using 70 grn vld's at 3260fps.